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House approves bill expanding attorney general’s authority over election crime prosecutions amid sharp debate
Summary
The Texas House passed SB 12 (and advanced companion HJR 1 earlier) to make the attorney general responsible for prosecuting election-law offenses in many instances, a move supporters called necessary to plug enforcement gaps and opponents said violates separation of powers and centralizes prosecutorial power in Austin.
The Texas House on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 12, which makes the attorney general statutorily responsible for prosecuting criminal offenses under Texas election law and requires cooperation and information sharing from local law enforcement. The bill passed the House on a roll-call vote of 85–54.
Sponsor Rep. Gary Shaheen (floor sponsor for the measure) told members the bill responds to a 2021 Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decision in State v. Stevens that had limited the attorney general’s ability to independently prosecute election‑related crimes. "SB 12 clarifies the authority of the office of the attorney general to prosecute election related criminal offenses," Shaheen said on the floor.
Supporters: enforcement…
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